WWF’s One Planet City Challenge will recognize cities scaling new heights on climate action

WWF is inviting cities around the globe to join the One Planet City Challenge and show the world how sustainable cities can be a hub for creativity, ambition and innovation in climate action.

Cities generate 70 per cent of the world’s carbon emissions. WWF’s One Planet City Challenge is a biennial competition that recognizes and rewards cities for developing infrastructure, housing, transport and mobility solutions to power the global transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient future.

“Cities can be the blueprint and inspiration for a sustainable world,” said Marco Lambertini, Director General of WWF International. “Progressive climate policy by local governments can radically reduce the impact of transport, housing and other high-emitting sectors and deliver greener, healthier and more livable cities and homes for people.”

The One Planet City Challenge was designed by WWF to mobilize action and support from cities in global climate efforts, including the goals now set forth by the Paris Agreement. Open for participation to cities in 25 countries this year, the competition invites interested cities to register at carbonn® Climate Registry (cCR), the leading global climate reporting platform for local and subnational governments managed by ICLEI — Local Governments for Sustainability.

"Active reporting is an important way for local governments to prove they are major players in global climate efforts," says Gino Van Begin, Secretary General of ICLEI. "Since the carbonn® Climate Registry was launched, we have seen over 700 cities, towns, states and regions from across the world reporting more than 6,100 mitigation and adaptation commitments."

Entrants will be evaluated by an international jury of experts, on areas ranging from urban planning and transport, to consumer behavior and energy systems. The most ambitious cities will be recognized as national winners, and, from among these, one city will be crowned the global winner of the One Planet City Challenge. WWF will profile the winning cities’ achievements in a global digital campaign designed to strengthen public support for city-led climate action.

2017 marks the fifth anniversary of the competition, formerly known as the Earth Hour City Challenge, which has engaged over 320 cities across five continents since its inception. Submissions will be evaluated on the below criteria outlined by WWF. There will also be a special focus on:

Level of ambition and ability to deliver on commitments and transformational change;